beyond any thing we could have anticipated at the time of its formation. "The Baptist Missions have been greatly blessed; and their Mission aries have acquired great and wellmerited fame, both in the church of God, and in the republic of letters. I think it will be no grief to them if you rival them in both; and I am sure it is what my heart most devoutly wishes. You have all got on surprisingly in your literary acquisitions. May God at all times give you greatly to excel your former selves! "In your communications to the Missionary Committee be ever as careful and select as you can. Send nothing but the strongest facts; nothing that you have by induction formed from promising appearances; because many of these, in every case, such is the uncertainty of the human character, prove abortive; and if, in any case, our small friends could say, 'This statement is not strictly correct,' we should more than blush. "I have lately drawn up a small piece for the benefit of the two Buddhist Priests who bave been for some time under my care, which consists of the following parts :-1. A letter to themselves relative to their renunciation of Heathenism, and their embracing the Christian religion. 2. A short view of the contents of the holy Scriptures. 3. The principles of Christianity deduced in regular order from the sacred writings. These principles are about forty in number, and, in my opinion, will answer the end of instruction, especially to those inquiring after the true religion, better than any catechism which I have yet met with. 4. Short directions how to read the word of God profitably. If I can get a copy of this piece transcribed in time I will send it to you; and if you and the brethren should think that it would be profitable to print it, you are at liberty so to do. I think the Prin ciples are the best work for the size I ever made. "I shall be at all times glad to hear from you and the brethren. Your gleanings will be a golden harvest to me. Any thing on the manners, customs, local peculiarities, the theology, mythology, religious rites and ceremonies, of the natives of your island, or the continent, will be very acceptable. As I am very fond of mineralogy, any thing curious in that way will be very useful in my studies. I need not tell you, that antiquities also are a peculiar study, which, in my work on the Scriptures, has proved very beneficial. "Sir Richard Ottley is appointed Puisne Judge for your island. We count this an especial providence of God. He is a most amiable man, a thorough friend to the work of God, and will aid your Missions and schools to the uttermost of his power. "Wishing you the continual presence of God, and abundant success in your great work, "I am, "To the Rev. ROBERT NEWSTEAD, "Wesleyan Missionary, "Negombo, Island of Ceylon." At the time when the above letter reached Negombo the Missionary was fast sinking under the effects of accumulated and various labours, which demanded immediate attention, blended with an unceasing effort to gain the language of the people. It happened to be a solitary station, as many are, a purely native station. Openings appeared There on every hand for schools. were soon five hundred children under his care. Chapels were to be built, under cheering circumstances, which it would have seemed a sin to neglect. Too much was attempted; and perhaps nothing so much as midnight studies at the native languages, under such circumstances, tended to the breaking down of a "An excellent translation of this work has been made by the Rev. John Callaway, and widely circulated among the Cinghalese. naturally good constitution; and obliged, in three years afterwards, a return home, while yet properly efficient in only one of the languages, though partially useful in the other. Such experience-for this is no solitary instance *—warrants the strongest assurance, that such an Institution as we now have has long been wanting among us for Missionary candidates; for, whether the arduous stations they have to occupy be regarded, or the nature of the ministry they have to It will scarcely be matter of doubt, even where it is not matter of experience, that many of the excellent men who have been compelled to return home might now have been abroad had not their health been destroyed by acquiring, under the influence of the torrid zone, that fitness for their work which might have been, under more favourable circumstances, partially acquired at home. Wherever the work of translation is con ADDRESS TO PERFECT CHRISTIANS. To the Editor of the Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine. BRETHREN, my heart's desire and prayer to God is, that you who are "sanctified wholly," may stand fast in that glorious liberty wherewith Christ has made you free; that you may retain your Eden of grace," and no more be entangled in the bondage of inbred sin. As one who rejoices over you, and is truly desirous of being a helper of your joy," suffer me to address to you a word of exhortation. 66 clared, in simplicity and godly sincerity, what God has done for your soul'; and thus become living witnesses of the power of Christ to save unto the uttermost? Seeing, then, that God has entrusted you with such treasures of grace, in an earthen vessel, and that you are surrounded by all the perils of the narrow way, watch with holy jealousy over your heart. Let the sanctifying fear never depart from you. Slavish fear you cannot indulge; for no such fear can mingle with perfect love. Numerous and powerful as are the temptations with which you are surrounded, doubtless, God is able to keep you from falling, and to preserve your whole spirit, and soul, and body, blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. But you may become unfaithful, cease to watch and pray, and thus refuse help in time of need. As Adam could and did sin in paradise, and lose all his purity and bliss, so there is no state of grace attainable on earth, from which a Christian may not fall, and become a cast-away. We have too many proofs, that those who make the highest profession may not only lose inward but outward holiness, and thus disgrace themselves, and dishonour the holy doctrines of which they have been the warm friends and advocates. "Therefore, let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." 2. Beware of spiritual sloth. If you would remain without spot and blameless, you must be diligent. "In labours more abundant," must be your motto. God and angels, friends and enemies, look for much fruit in you. The practice of good works is the path in which God has ordained you to walk. You declare, that you abide in Christ; and, therefore, you ought to walk as he also walked. Various are the departments of Christian toil and duty, into which, as God shall give you opportunity, you are bound to enter. And wide and extended as is the field of duty, so are the temptations to sloth. Sometimes it is detected in our backwardness to enter on new duties, when there is a clear call of conscience; sometimes in the inclination to omit old and established duties; and sometimes in the disposition to slacken our pace in duty's path. To save you from this great enemy of your peace and usefulness, you need daily to receive fresh supplies of the Spirit of burning from above; and hourly, and by every means, to stir up the gift of God which is within you. 3. Guard against unbelief. Whether in the ladder Jacob saw, you are elevated five hundred steps, or one only, it is by faith alone you stand. The moment we cast away our confidence, we fall to the ground, and have all our work to do again. Faith is the cement by which we are joined to Christ; to lose it is to lose Christ, and holiness, and heaven. Then, above all things, brethren, beware of an evil heart of unbelief. You are in special danger while bemoaning the loss of vivid joys. At such moments you must take care not to confound a certain portion of the fruits of the blessing, with the "root of the matter," or the blessing itself. Remember the example of that old disciple of the faith, who said, Although the figtree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." This is the season for you to exclaim, "I will trust, and not be afraid." A second peril to which your faith is liable is in the hour of fierce conflict with the prince of darkness. His fiery darts may be shot with such force, and in such quick succession, as strongly to incline you to suspect that the adversary has already got possession of the outworks of the citadel. You feel the pain of a fierce attack, and are disposed to doubt whether it be not more than temptation. This is a critical moment. But even suppose the worst; it is no fit time now, in the height of the battle, to examine the wound. Do not turn your eyes to the part which you suspect is bitten by the serpent; but resolutely look off from yourself to Him who is ever near to apply the healing balm of his precious blood. It is, however, one of the "wiles of the devil," to shout, "A breach! a wound!" while he, "the father of lies," knows there is no such thing. Therefore, during this "fight of faith," in spite of self, and sin, and Satan, look to Jesus. Another point of imminent danger to your faith is the season of overwhelming trials from divine Providence. In this respect, not a few of those who are perfect and upright before God, are cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace." Job's case is a remarkable instance of this "fiery trial;" and the case of Abraham, under command to offer up his son Isaac, is still more striking. The former held fast his faith nobly; the latter still better. At a stroke Job was bereft of all his property, and all his children; his body was smitten with a loathsome and tormenting disease, and his mind became agitated by strange conflicts; but in all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly." He held fast his integrity, and in the triumph of faith exclaimed, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him." Abraham saw himself not only about to be bereft of his "only son whom he loved;" but was himself, by a divine command, appointed to slay him; him, whom he had received as a precious gift at the hand of God; him, for whom he had so long waited, and in whom God had said "all the families of the earth should be blessed." Yet did Abraham in all this trial, "strange," and fierce, and protracted as it was, stagger not through unbelief." Firm and erect, steadfast and immovable, he held on the way of believing with his heart unto righteousness. Being strong in faith, he calmly retained his peace, and "gave glory to God." "Ó for a faith like his!" Then shall we be enabled to say, amidst the accumulated trials of a gracious Providence, "None of these things move me!" 4. Carefully maintain the spirit of devotion. The longer you live in the Spirit, and walk in the enjoyment of full salvation, the more will experience teach you to value this. In the example of pious Bramwell we have a most striking and stirring example of the devotional spirit. Such a spirit cannot be maintained without continual effort in prayer, strong attachment to the duty of practical searching of the Scriptures, and much of the grace of supplication from above. If we relax our exercises in the closet, we at once lower the tone of our piety; and the loss of energy must be felt throughout every Christian movement. In vain do we resolve to continue lifting up our hearts amidst worldly duties. This resolution, formed in the neglect of closet duty, will avail us little more than the resolution of Samson, when he said, ignorant that the Lord had departed from him, "I will go out, as at other times before, and shake myself." From you God requires full and constant obedience to that command: "Enter into thy closet, and pray to thy Father in secret." If necessary occupation in public deprive you of your ordinary portion of time for retirement, then, like your Lord and Master, if you can contrive it no other way, you must "rise up a great while before day," that you may retire to the "solitary place for prayer." A few minutes there, in twenty-four hours, will not be sufficient for those who would rejoice evermore," and "pray without ceasing." They must spend "a great while" in the "solitary place.' Here it is, too, that you must open the sacred record which God has given you from above, and "read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest" the bread of eternal truth. "The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," is.a weapon which you specially need; and if you would wield it skilfully and efficiently, against your numerous and powerful adversaries, you must learn to "handle" it in secret in the presence of God. But neither prayer nor the Bible will do for us, use them as we may, unless "the Spirit of holiness" deign to hold communion with us; and we have also "fellowship with the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ." It is the blessed and holy manifestation of God to the heart which alone can so "strengthen us with night," as to enable us to live "without spot," in this present evil world. Often then, my dear brethren, join your "praying Pattern in the mount," and "There by wrestling faith obtain 5. Pride, and anger, and covetousness, are roots of bitterness, against the springing up of which you must needs guard the heart with all diligence. These have slain their tens of thousands; and nothing short of your having on the whole armour of God, of your having it on the right hand and on the left, can save you from them. They are sins of the greatest subtilty; and the inmost nature of man, unless constantly inspired, and watched, and sprinkled with the all-cleansing blood, will generate and foster them. Pride is man's easily-besetting sin, anger stands close in the rear, and covetousness is scarcely one step behind. Your consciousness of great spiritual conquests, your strong consolation, your distinguished Christian profession, in addition to the common tendencies of fallen humanity, all particularly expose you, and tend to bring "the foot of pride against you." Therefore, "be clothed with humility." Let no vestige of self appear; but let your person, your words, your actions, your thoughts, desires and motives, be all clothed, constantly clothed, with humility. A large portion of those who lament the loss of purity of heart, bewail the sin of anger as the immediate cause. There are indeed a few Christians to whom this sin presents no strong temptations; but to far the greater number of all classes of religious people, the case is quite otherwise. Many, indeed, who profess to enjoy experimental religion, seem never to have thought it their duty to keep a conscience void of offence on this head. They daily, and with apparent indifference, exhibit painful proofs of unsubdued temper. But you, to whom God has given" a clean heart," cannot suffer this "fire of hell" to touch you. Under all the provocations of life, you must learn, through grace, in meekness and patience to possess your souls. Remember the Lord Jesus, and learn of him to be increasingly "meek and lowly of heart." His grace is sufficient for you: there fore, "let patience have her perfect work." The sin of covetousness is so contrary to the genius, and principles, and laws of the Gospel of Christ, that every true believer must see and feel the propriety of guarding against it with the utmost vigilance. In the sight of Him whose nature and name is love, who gave his only begotten Son to save us, and who has given us so many lessons on this head, it must be "exceeding sinful." And doubtless the carnal mind deeply lusteth to selfishness. Sometimes the Christian is betrayed into this sin by indulging undue desire for what God has not seen fit to give him; and sometimes by cherishing an undue desire to retain what God requires him to part with, both for his own glory, and for the good of our neighbour. We are saved from this sin only by keeping the heart filled and ruled by "perfect love" to God and man. 6. Finally, take heed that you “offend not in word." The tongue has certainly great power over the whole man. Experience teaches that much of our joys and sorrows, much of our usefulness and injuriousness in the world, depend upon the proper or improper use of the tongue. We may also sin by our silence. You dare not conceal the light which God has kindled in your soul. If you refuse, at proper seasons, to acknowledge Christ, and the great salvation which he has wrought for you and in you, you grieve the Holy Spirit of God, omit a gracious opportunity of doing good, and deprive your own soul of much spiritual comfort. Silence is certainly a bait by which the enemy has too often succeeded with those who have felt that the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin. They held their peace, when they should have made a distinct confession; and by thus refusing to let their light shine before men, they soon found, to their sorrow, that they had put it out. But unquestionably it is rather by "the multitude of words," than by the stillness of the tongue, that you are liable to be brought into a snare. It is not safe for you to be much in company, unless where plain duty requires it. Mr. Wesley has wisely observed, "Few Christians can converse profitably more than one hour.” truth of this remark most persons have felt, who have set themselves to "walk in the light as God is in the light." Our excellent Rules speak of " uncharitable and unprofitable conversation," as "sins commonly practised." Of these you must be specially aware, if you would "keep yourselves pure." To avoid being ensnared by the common and useless topics of conversation, you must arm yourselves with more than common resolution; and as to the great, and wide-spread, and de The |